The mural features Aaron’s jersey number, 44, spray-painted on animated characters. The 24-foot-high facade incorporates Baker’s signature playful style with the phrase “There’s always a thrill in Summerhill” on pennants, the 404 area code on a Fox Theatre-like marquee, an Interstate 75 road sign and a tire rim in between shiny light blue block letters spelling out A-T-L.
Baker’s large-scale visual dedication comes eight years after the Braves left Atlanta for Cobb County. Regardless of a new ZIP code, the old memories from Fulton County Stadium to Turner Field still linger in an area that’s seen major development in the time since. Ahead of MLB’s 2025 All-Star Game in the Braves’ Truist Park digs, Baker said the mural is a tribute to the Summerhill neighborhood and its ties to sports.
“I’m tapping directly into that tapestry and using the moment to be the connective tissue that reminds people of Hank Aaron, the World Series and so many moments in sports have happened in this area. I wanted to honor all that baseball has meant to Summerhill and where it’s been played in Atlanta,” Baker said.
Credit: arvin.temkar@ajc.com
The mural’s unveiling is on Sunday. Baker spent five days developing his vision for the piece.
Baker, who moved to Atlanta in 2003, has lived nearby on Pryor Street for a decade. He has created murals in various Atlanta neighborhoods.
He said producing a permanent mural in Summerhill allows residents to have free access and exposure to art.
“The people in this neighborhood sometimes don’t get to experience mural art. It’s usually pushed into more affluent areas, so they don’t get to see the glory and how they feel about their community shown in a visual way,” he said.
“My message and gifts are for everybody. I want my murals to catch people in their lowest moments so that when they see it, they’re encouraged to go on another day.”
Credit: Focused Community Strategies
The Summerhill mural isn’t Baker’s first foray into designing sports-themed public art. The self-taught artist was commissioned by Nike, Adidas, the NFL, ESPN and Atlanta United to create original work.
For the mural in Summerhill, Baker was initially approached by bottled water brand, Deer Park. The company tasked Baker with designing art for a limited-edition aluminum water bottle to celebrate the All-Star Game. He said the beverage brand’s pitch aligned with his goal to draw inspiration from his interactions with the people.
“It’s the people (the fans) that support athletes and buy tickets to come see the games. They pushed me to tap into the local community and put the focus on them, and it felt like a dream come true,” Baker said.
As Baker worked on the mural in the sweltering heat, he had conversations with long-term residents about Summerhill’s history. He decided to include the Gold Dome into the mural as a reminder of those stories.
He said talking to residents reminds him of conversations with older relatives.
“It feels like family. They have respect, love and see beauty in their neighborhood. You can repave roads and put up new buildings, but this is a place where people have pride in themselves and where they live. They appreciate seeing someone (like me) trying to invest in it by creating art that reflects what’s already here,” he said.
“I go over my words and write what my intentions are behind the mural because it’s where I start my creative process. I want to hear as much as possible about why things are important to the surrounding community and make sure the murals feel perfectly right to the people I’m giving it to,” Baker said.
Passersby, including residents and tourists, expressed their support and appreciation to Baker by asking him questions about his creative process. They shared feedback about his work and stories about their childhoods there.
Credit: arvin.temkar@ajc.com
Tiger Dawson, a Stone Mountain native, moved to Summerhill three years ago, and grew up regularly attending Braves games at Turner Field. He said living across the street from Baker’s mural brings back fond memories before the area underwent redevelopment.
“George’s art is dope and adds authenticity to the area. They’re trying to whitewash it, but we must cherish this work because it keeps it Black,” Dawson said.
Macon native Kennethy Austin, an employee at Cava Restaurant next door to the mural and a Summerhill resident since 2023, watched Baker work on the mural for two days. He says Baker’s bold color scheme and design will potentially attract new business.
“This is epic and incredible. It looks good, colorful, going to bring in more customers and a new vibe into the community,” Austin said.
Credit: arvin.temkar@ajc.com
Houston resident Paul Kwentua saw Baker painting figures as he was heading to eat breakfast with his wife at Grits and Eggs Breakfast Kitchen. He considers Baker’s dedication and focus as public service.
“He’s taking time out of his day in this hot weather to show love to the city. I have family in this area, and it means a lot to see him highlight that the city is still doing good,” Kwentua said.
Credit: arvin.temkar@ajc.com
Baker hopes his work is a sign of more opportunities for local creatives to collaborate on projects with sports teams, corporations and events like the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
“If you put your trust in us here, we will perfectly link you to the people in an organic way,” Baker said.
“It’s the only way to make art that reflects how communities deserve to be seen, show everyone that Atlanta is unique and has some of the best creatives in the world.”
About the Author
Christopher A. Daniel is a Black Culture reporter for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. He is an Atlanta-based, award-winning journalist, cultural critic and ethnomusicologist. He previously taught courses at Morehouse College, Clark Atlanta University and Georgia State University.
